Career Talk: Learn - Grow - Thrive

The first thing I want to start off my saying as we are getting into this conversation about non competes and conflicts of interest is this: I am NOT a lawyer. I want to put that out there right now. If you are seeking legal advice, that is not me. Of course I do have a background in HR and I do know a little bit about conflicts of interest and non competes. Someone asked me about this so I was happy to create an episode. Here was the question:  Someone has a full time position, looking to add a side job, similar industry to what they are in now, currently interviewing for that job.  Is this ok if it’s in a similar industry? Is there a conflict of interest? When would there be a conflict of interest? Who would I talk to without causing issues at my current job? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/careertalk/message

She's baaaaack y'all!  :)  What topics do you want to hear?  I created a google form to capture your feedback, find it here:  https://goo.gl/forms/PToleX38QgQ4EPaz1 Let me know!  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/careertalk/message

In this episode we will cover some tips on how to find a job while relocating  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/careertalk/message

Today we are talking about contracting and consulting today!    Reasons contracting might be a good option for you:  1) You are chasing industries and you don’t have any experience in the new industry  2) Typically you do get more money  3) If you get bored after 6-24 months with a company or in a particular role and you feel you are changing jobs often because you’re bored and you need that change  4) You’re the type of person who likes to work for a variety of different companies  5) You want to work in different type of industries    Reasons why contracting might not be a good fit for you:  1) If you are going to be constantly stressed out about your contract ending, you’re not sure what you’re going to do next and this will give you a ton of stress and anxiety 2) If you need certain benefits if you can’t get in a contracting role (hold for the myths section though LOL)  3) If you will have a fear of not getting a new contract when your current one is over (also this is the opposite of having an abundance mindset  4) If you are the type of person who wants to find a really great company and stick with that company into retirement    Contracting Myths  1) Contracting doesn’t offer stability  2) Benefits  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/careertalk/message

Have you ever been curious on how to write a really amazing cover letter?    Today we are talking about cover letters and answering some of these questions:  Are they important? Should I write one? How much time should I take on one? What should I include?    Question 1: Should I write a cover letter? Answer: Maybe. Most recruiters do not read cover letters if I am being totally honest.  That being said, there are some hiring managers out there that want to see cover letters.    Question 2: What should I include in my cover letter? Answer: They should be brief and you want to remember you are writing TO someone.  Include:  An attention grabbing paragraph - try asking a question Accomplishments paragraph  Company paragraph  Position paragraph    Thank you so much for listening. I would love to connect and learn how I can help you! Connect with me below!!!  To connect -  Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/StephDennis13   You’re awesome!!  Go be your amazing self today!!!  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/careertalk/message

Have you ever been curious as to whether or not you are leveraging LinkedIn to the extent you can during your job search?    6 Ways To Leverage LinkedIn While Searching For A New Job / Career  Turn on your job preferences so other recruiters or hiring managers know you are open to new opportunities Find and apply for jobs  Research contacts at the companies you want to work for  Reach out to those contacts  Reach out to people who are in jobs that you would want  Research a company’s structure / company culture / reporting / titles / etc.    Reminders:  Make sure your profile is up to date  Make sure you have an updated headline  Have a creative / catchy headline  Have a professional and clear picture     Thank you so much for listening. I would love to connect and learn how I can help you! Connect with me below!!! To connect -  Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/StephDennis13 You’re awesome!!  Go be your amazing self today!!!  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/careertalk/message

Have you ever received negative feedback?  Or even a bad review?  And you weren’t sure what to do with that information?  Today we have 16 points on how to handle feedback. Remaining calm  Take the time to reflect and evaluate before you react  Reminder: perception is reality  Do not argue  Feedback is a really, really good thing - even if we don’t agree with the feedback being given Look at the data  Ask a lot of questions  Learn Honestly ask yourself, what are the truths in the negative feedback you received?  Asking for help if you need it  Asking yourself and others what your blindspots are  Create a plan to improve  Set clear expectations and goals moving forward  Set follow up progress conversations  Reminder: if you need to vent, try and make sure it’s not with work colleagues  Reminder: when we are getting feedback, we can get better or we can get bitter  Thank you so much for listening. I would love to connect and learn how I can help you! Connect with me below!!! To connect -  Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/StephDennis13 You’re awesome!!  Go be your amazing self today!!!  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/careertalk/message

Ever had a leadership or management change?  Were anxious or frustrated? Not sure how to navigate the situation?  I got you

Have you ever needed to ask for help and weren’t sure how? Or overwhelmed and you weren’t sure what to do next?    How exactly you’re going to be executing on asking for help:  Understand what you’re own expertise is and also where your knowledge gaps are  Explain what you’ve already tried and where you are stuck  Prepping your questions for that other person in advance   Quick tips and reminders:  You don’t need to carry the burden of working alone all by yourself forever  We don’t have to be the super hero all the time  There is no shame is asking for help Knowing that is always good to have another person’s perspective  Be very specific when you’re asking for your help  Take notes  Asking for clarification or having follow questions  Make sure we are being kind, courteous, curious and that you’re having fun Be open to feedback and criticism and potentially negative comments    Positive attributes for asking for help:  Helps the people you’re asking for help from feel valued  Earns respect  Fuels teamwork    Thank you so much for listening. I would love to connect and learn how I can help you! Connect with me below!!   To connect -  Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/StephDennis13 You’re awesome!!   Go be your amazing self today!!!  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/careertalk/message

Today we are talking about the STAR and SHARE interview methods.  If we know what the recruiter or interviewer is using for their interview methods, you can be better prepared for your interview.  These are interview methods used to evaluate your behavioral based interview questions.   STAR S - Situation - Describe the situation  T - Task- Describe the task you are responsible for completing given situation described above A - Action - Given the situation and the task you had to complete, you will describe the action you took to complete the task and resolve the situation  R - Result - Describe the result of the action you took, the task that was completed and the situation that was resolved    SHARE S - Situation - Describe the situation  H - Hinderances - Describe any hinderances or obstacles you encountered when resolving the situation  A - Action - Given the situation and the task you had to complete, you will describe the action you took to complete the task and resolve the situation  R - Result - Describe the result of the action you took, the task that was completed and the situation that was resolved  E - Evaluate - Explain the evaluation of the situation, essentially what did you learn   Example questions that people are looking for this sort of response:  1) Talk to me about a time you failed to complete an assignment, project or task 2) Talk to me about a time you accomplished something but in the beginning it looked like it was going to be impossible  3) Talk to me about a time you needed to work with a colleague you did not get along with 4) Talk to me about a time you needed to resolve a communication issue 5) Talk to me about a time you needed to resolve a customer issue    Make sure your interview question responses are brief and to the point, we don’t want to ramble on and on and on and on

Have you ever started applying for jobs and submitted a ton of applications but didn’t really get any responses or getting a ton of rejection letters?  Or not making it past the application stage?  If the answer is yes, there might be something wrong with your resume.    What to include on your resume:  1) Contact information  First and last name (put what you want to be called on your resume, you can put your legal name on your application) Phone number - it should be the number you want to be contact at (cell phone vs. house phone) Email  City and state  2) Education  If you have a college degree, include your college degree and beyond  If you do not have a college degree, you want to make sure you have your high school education on there  3) Skills  Should be bulleted out  5-10 skills  Relevant to the jobs you’re applying for  4) Experience  Job history  If you don’t have any working history, you can include college projects and / or volunteer experience    What to exclude from your resume:  1) Graduation dates  2) Objectives  3) References  Remove the references  Also remove the line ‘references available upon request’  4) CAPTIAL LETTERS 5) Long summaries     Thank you so much for listening. I would love to connect and learn how I can help you! Connect with me below!! To connect -  Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/StephDennis13 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/careertalk/message

Have you ever worked for a boss that was a complete a jerk? Or you thought they may have been the spawn of satan?   I want to talk to you about this situation today because I know it is not easy.  12 Action Items  1) Observe  2) Don’t jump to conclusions  3) Not to let your work suffer  4) Document   5) Keep emails  6) Have really open, honest communication   7) Being that leader   8) Taking the high road  9) Being the better / bigger person  10) Try to determine what motivates them and what sets them off 11) Contributing to and celebrating success  12) If you need to jump ship:  Do your research. Determine interview questions that you can ask while you’re in an interview with your next future boss.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/careertalk/message

Have you ever been in a situation where you knew you needed to make a change in your career and you weren’t sure what change should be?  Or what you want to do?  Or what that change should be?  Sometimes when we need to make a career change it can be overwhelming if we are unclear on what we want to do or where we should be going or even how to get there.  Really the most important thing when we are looking at making a career change is working your plan backwards. Meaning, reverse engineering your career plan. We start out where you want to end up and then work our way backwards and figure out step by step how we are going to get there.  5 Steps to Career Clarity 1) Figure out where you want to go 2) Ask yourself why you want to get there  3) What skills do you need to accomplish, or acquire, that you don’t already have now?  4) Figure out how you’re going to close the gap on the skills you need to have (number 3) and the skills you have now.  5) Start having conversations. Thank you so much for listening. I would love to connect and learn how I can help you! Connect with me below!!!  To connect -  Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/StephDennis13 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/careertalk/message

 10 Ways To Lead Without Authority or Title Make sure you are coming from a genuine place  Be constantly learning and growing  Want to be the one who is asking the tough questions  Always be asking for feedback  Helping your colleagues when they need it  Don’t wait to be asked to do something  Take on additional responsibilities and be that leader  Asking your manager how you can help  Be a top producer with top quality work  Being positive and staying positive through tough situations    Thank you so much for listening. I would love to connect and learn how I can help you! Connect with me below!!!  To connect -  Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/StephDennis13 You’re awesome!!  Go be your amazing self today!!!  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/careertalk/message

Top 13 Reasons You Are Failing Your Phone Interviews:  Research or lack thereof research  Eating and / or chewing gum  Not knowing the company you applied to  Not knowing the job you applied to  Coming across as desperate  Applying to every job  Not being able to talk about money  Working out during your phone interview  Smoking  Lying / being caught in a lie / just being shady  Inability or unwillingness to answer questions  Saying yes to a drastic payout  Not aligning with the level of the position  Thank you so much for listening. I would love to connect and learn how I can help you! Connect with me below!!!  To connect -  Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/StephDennis13  You’re awesome!!  Go be your amazing self today!!!  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/careertalk/message